Pure Aero vs Pure Strike 2017

[Michael Carter]

I am an intermediate without much experience with modern racquets (I got reasonably good while very young but then didn't play for many years until starting up again now in my 30s). I have been playing with a Prince Textreme Tour 100T which feels fine but low on power.

For the last few weeks I had in mind purchasing a Pure Aero because of the high test score it gets here and because I was eager to see what a racquet with more power would be like.

But now I see the new Pure Strike gets a higher overall review score and apparently has significantly better control and feel, while only having a relatively smaller reduction in power.

Can anyone say who a Pure Aero would be more appropriate for relative to a new Pure Strike? I wonder if I should change my plans and go for the Pure Strike.

Is the Pure Strike a better racquet for everyone, or is there a particular kind of player for whom the Pure Aero would be a better choice? Thanks for whatever opinions you can provide.

 

[veloduffer]

I would demo them and others to see what feels good. Please don't get offended but as an intermediate, the racquet is not the constraint on your game.

You are much better off using your current racquet and taking lessons. You'll get more power from better technique than changing racquets.

Before spending $200 on a new racquet, have your current restrung at a different tension or with a higher power string.

 

[prjacobs]

Send you a message.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Michael Carter]

Thanks guys, I am taking lessons. 1 to 2 a week. I just feel the Tour 100T is a little lighter and flexier than I would really like. I'm also just curious to start learning about what different kinds of racquets are like. Furthermore, I want a second racquet to be able to play when friends come visit from out of town and don't have equipment.

My impression from the review is that the new Pure Strike is simply a more advanced design than the Pure Aero. Do the rest of you get that impression as well? Would it indeed be a significant step up from what I have currently power-wise, and generally be considered a powerful racquet almost like the Pure Aero (only with significantly better control and feel)?

 

[Babolat Official]

As others have said, demo. That's the only way you'll know what fits your game.

We make rackets with different characteristics to suit the needs of different types of players. The Pure Drive, for instance, offers easy power on tap, versatility, and good access to spin. The Pure Aero also offers power, though a bit less than the Pure Drive, but with more spin. For some players, the tradeoff of more spin for power is appealing. Others disagree.

The Pure Strike has more control and less power than both the Pure Aero and Pure Drive. It also has less spin than the Pure Aero. If you're looking for more control, the Pure Strike may be a better choice.

But, you won't know until you demo. No one racket is inherently better than the other. It's about what you're looking for from your equipment and what can offer it to you to best help your game.

 

[RetroSpin]

I just hit with my friend's Pure Strike. He and I both use Pure Drive Tours (actually mine are Roddicks). We both thought the PS is a nice stick but a bit soft compared to the Pure Drives and not as powerful. I think it is best suited to a big hitter playing other big hitters, where control is at a premium.

The PS is a rather plush feeling stick for a Bab but you give up some of the sick power.

 

[CopolyX]

Power should come from you. When you start relying on a frame and or strings for the power in your game and with your skill set, you will always be handicapped. I would highly suggest lessons and if needed, a little tungsten!

 

[Power Player]

Power should come from you. When you start relying on a frame and or strings for the power in your game and with your skill set, you will always be handicapped. I would highly suggest lessons and if needed, a little lead!

That's true, but players use power frames so they can brush the ball more and generate more spin while retaining depth. It's all about your preferred style of play.

 

[RetroSpin]

Just a quick followup on my friend's Pure Strike. The first day he strung it with Solinco Hyper G, and I found it a bit dead. Today he had restrung it with some black string from Yytex, not sure which one, probably quadra twist.

I really liked the combo. The racquet was as plush as ever, the sweetspot felt enormous but the racquet was very predictable in distance control. You do have to provide a bit more power than with the PD, but you know that power comes on very smoothly. I didn't serve with it but my friend feels the PD is clearly better on serve.

It's a tough choice. You risk giving up the sick shots the PD can produce but you maybe also give up some of the wild errors.

 

[haegger]

Power should come from you. When you start relying on a frame and or strings for the power in your game and with your skill set, you will always be handicapped. I would highly suggest lessons and if needed, a little lead!

Hell yeah, bro! I agree!

 

[CopolyX]

That's true, but players use power frames so they can brush the ball more and generate more spin while retaining depth. It's all about your preferred style of play.

Sock versus Rafa...which one generates more spin (rpm's) ..then we have racquet's with more spin..yer ..yer..more please, then we have people who play tennis and tennis players ... who here will be looking to buy spin, and who here will be commented to putting in the hard work....
They want more string spacing for strings...how about going for one of the 14 x 16 jobbies....cheap now....wonderful frames.....cough..
Or how about one of those, I can not make up my mind frames...dr jekyll and mr hyde sticks....
* day one: 16 x 19 - day two: cut out strings, pluck out the grommets, add the adaptive 16 x 16 thingies...restring....boom...spin master flash! not..
* day three: buy a new 2017 Pure Strike
*day four: list it for sale or trade
*day five: repeat & rinse...

 

[Power Player]

Have no idea what you are saying, but Sock uses an extreme Western and strings at 39#s. His setup is meant for brushing the ball because that's how he hits.

 

[CopolyX]

Have no idea what you are saying, but Sock uses an extreme Western and strings at 39#s. His setup is meant for brushing the ball because that's how he hits.

All I am saying is that all of players buying a new power frame (or frame jumpers), think that they are buying a lot of free spin....buying the hype, hook line and sinker....that is it..

 

[Power Player]

All I am saying is that all of players buying a new power frame (or frame jumpers), think that they are buying a lot of free spin....buying the hype, hook line and sinker....that is it..

Yeah I agree totally. I am talking about more experienced players who switched to tweeners. They can brush the ball more and get the same depth, and that is appealing to some players. Power frames actually do help with that, but you have to have the technique. It's not a free pass by any means.

 

[danbrenner]

To the OP
This is te Beauty of TW
It's the portal to the tennis universe.
4 demos for $20.
What could be better.
Demi those two plus another two for good measure.
Then report back your findings afterwards.

 

[danbrenner]

@Babolat Official
I'm sure I have answered this q many times
But I'm curious as to why Thiems 18x20 version of the PS has not been released. And will it be released ? Thanks in advance

 

[CopolyX]

To the OP
This is te Beauty of TW
It's the portal to the tennis universe.
4 demos for $20.
What could be better.
Demi those two plus another two for good measure.
Then report back your findings afterwards.

Good job man!
Fun stuff...
We are pretty lucky. sorta....
Looking forward to your demo playtest results.
But image if we could have the four demo frames strung to our specifics (strings/tension)!
(That is the only big missing piece of the demo puzzle game...)
That is Tennis Utopia!

 

[Babolat Official]

@Babolat Official
I'm sure I have answered this q many times
But I'm curious as to why Thiems 18x20 version of the PS has not been released. And will it be released ? Thanks in advance

It was a staggered release. The 18x20 will be available early 2017.

 

[Khoi Pham]

You should demo both racquets. The demo price is pretty cheap, plus you might get some discounts towards your new one. Pure aero might be a bit stiff for you if you come from prince 100T.